Jag/Corvette

After four or so years, I have made the tough decision to sell my baby/Frankenstein. I knew I was going to put a Corvette engine and transmission in this car when I bought it, eventually. The Jag was leaking so much oil I decided to do it right away. I got the motor and Trans at a Chevy wrecking yard and went to work. I had done one other Jag conversion (a ‘83 Z28 engine in a ‘76 Jag, also fuel injected) and put a Buick V-6 in a 1956 Mercedes. I was really proud of the results of this conversion, but after four years and a son in college, Jagvette needed a new home. Oh yea, it recently passed smog and is totally California smog legal. Below is an email I wrote to someone who wanted advise on whether to do the conversion, just to give you an idea of the work that went into this project.

"Anybody who suggests that the Jag Motor is worth keeping is either independently wealthy or an idealist. The 350 is lighter, which a good thing for weight distribution and power. Plus there is no need to change the rear end gearing if you use the 700r4 transmission, which I did. I am so happy I did this swap I can’t believe it. I had a drive shaft made (I just used a straight one, no need for that convoluted two piece). The power steering hoses just need to be customized with the Jag fittings on one end and the tach just needs two resisters soldered in for accurate reading. The air conditioning needs custom hoses but works fine with the GM compressor (Jag’s is GM anyway) and the alternator and brake booster position are perfect. I used the radiator fan from the Corvette wired into the injection ECM and made my own motor and transmission mounts. I used the Jag radiator both times I’ve done this (yes this is my second Jag/Chevy conversion) with no problems. The Transmission shifter cable woks fine if you just flip the trans lever from down (pulling) to up (pushing) and make a mounting bracket. The most time consuming part is the fuel injection wiring but Suncoast (http://www.jaguarspecialties.com/v8_kit.asp) has the wiring diagrams and the Jag was injected so the fuel pumps don’t even need to be changed, just wired into to Corvette ECM. I am still working on the speedo since both the Jag and Corvette were electric. If you have a cable driven speedo, there are aftermarket converters (www.JagsThatRun.com) but I am looking for one that will convert one electrical signal to another. I think I found one at http://www.tne.co.uk/sailes/interfaces/aes_4.html. I can’t say enough about this hybrid. The best of British Coachwork with the best of American performance. Plus, it gets scratch in two gears. Worthy of note, a rebuilt Jag alternator is $250, I got a heavy-duty Corvette alternator (rebuilt) for $29.00; and, my Jag gets 20 MPG. This thing will pay for itself. I’m sure I’ve left out something, so email me if you have any questions. markjon@pacbell.net."

1986 Jag/Corvette Hybrid for Sale
Sold
530-668-1930
markjon@pacbell.net

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